Korean Language Courses

• Course Code: 01:574:450
• Course Title: Korea in Translations: Modern Literature and Film
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall
• Credits: 3

01:574:450 Korea in Translations: Modern Literature and Film 

Translation as a generative process. Korean literary fiction and poetry and their versions in English translations. Films as another mode of translation with its own language and grammar.

We will examine English translations of Korean literature ranging from short stories and novels to poems and songs, with special attention to the process of linguistic, cultural and aesthetic transformations of the original texts. In addition, we will explore the close exchanges between film and literature, with four films inspired by well-known Korean narratives, both traditional and modern. Students will be asked to turn in weekly translation analysis exercises; a final written translation project will follow an oral translation presentation.

Grading: 5 Short Translation Analysis Assignments: 20 %, Participation: 10 %, Class Presentation: 10%, Midterm: 20%, Quizzes: 10%, 1 Individual Presentation + Final project: 30%

Plagiarism: All written work should be composed in the student’s own words and the ideas of others should be properly cited. It is the responsibility of all students to know and adhere to the university’s policy on plagiarism. If you have any questions concerning this policy or about documentation of sources in work you produce in this course, feel free to ask me.

Assignments: All reading and written assignments are required and should be done before class. Late assignments will be deducted a full letter grade for each late day (i.e. A to a B, B to a C…).

Attendance: Regular class attendance is mandatory. More than 2 absences result in a failing grade for the course.

Gadgets: All communication devices must be turned off for the duration of the class, and laptops may be used only to take notes.

Disabilities: Students with disabilities who are seeking consideration for services or accommodations should immediately contact the Office of Disability Services at (732) 932-2848, 151 College Ave.

Final note: This syllabus may be modified throughout the semester, and it is the responsibility of each student to keep up to date of any and all announcements made in class.

• Course Code: 01:574:471
• Course Title: Korea in Translations: Contemporary Media
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 3

01:574:471 Korea in Translations: Contemporary Media

This is a hands-on course on translating media writings, broadcasts, and films from Korean into English and vice versa. Various journalistic and entertainment texts with attention to contemporary language of the mass media will be the focus of the course; we will also be reading and discussing the nature of news and social media transmission in a global era and its relationship to international politics and cultural formations. Forms of media to be examined include broadcast news, films/dramas, popular song lyrics, and newspaper and magazine articles. Students will be asked to turn in weekly translation exercises; a final written translation project will follow an oral translation presentation.

Each student is required to complete all assigned reading before class and is responsible for presenting on the week’s readings and leading discussion at least two times in the semester. A class presentation schedule will be finalized by the second week of the semester. Specific guidelines for appropriate class presentations will be given.

Students are responsible for submitting weekly individual and group translation exercises no later than 1:00 AM the day of the class. Students are expected to demonstrate improvement in translation and their ability to reflect on translation processes. All translation exercises will be peer-reviewed. In addition, there will be projects that produce a report on translation analyses based on existing translated texts. The rubrics on translation exercises and writing reports will be shared with students in the second week of the semester.

Throughout the semester at least six quizzes will be given in order to evaluate students’ understanding of translation terms and the improvement of their Korean language proficiency. They will be available and will be automatically graded on Canvas. The midterm consisting of three essay questions and 10 short answer questions will be given on October 27th (Thursday), to be finished within 80 minutes. The typed answer files will be submitted to the Midterm folder on canvas.

A one-page translation proposal will be submitted and individual meetings will be to discuss each proposal. Each student will be given 20 minutes to receive instructor feedback on the feasibility of the project.

The presentation of the proposal will be scheduled in Weeks 14 & 15. Each student will prepare 10 slides to present their translation processes and two discussants will be assigned to comment on the presentation. The presenter-discussant pairing will be announced one week before presentation so that there will be enough time for discussion and feedback. Final projects will be evaluated based on the accuracy of translation and the stylistic and cultural appropriateness. A reflection section of the final project will be evaluated based on the understanding of the ideas and issues covered in class reading, discussion, and translation exercises as well as the originality of critical reflection of these issues.

Grading: Attendance/Participation: 10 %, Class Presentations & Homework: 10 %, Translation Assignments: 40 %, Quizzes: 10% , Final Project Presentation + Final project: 30%

Plagiarism: All written work should be composed in the student’s own words and the ideas of others should be properly cited. It is the responsibility of all students to know and adhere to the university’s policy on plagiarism. If you have any questions concerning this policy or about documentation of sources in work you produce in this course, feel free to ask me.

Assignments: All reading and written assignments are required and should be done before class. Late assignments will be deducted a full letter grade for each late day (i.e. A to a B, B to a C…).

Attendance: Regular class attendance is expected.

Gadgets: All communication devices must be turned off for the duration of the class, and laptops may be used only to take notes.

Disabilities: Students with disabilities who are seeking consideration for services or accommodations should immediately contact the Office of Disability Services at (732) 932-2848, 151 College Ave.

Final note: This syllabus may be modified throughout the semester, and it is the responsibility of each student to keep up to date of any and all announcements made in class.

• Course Code: 01:574:495
• Course Title: Independent Study in Korean
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall
• Credits: 3

01:574:495 Independent Study in Korean

Description: Independent reading under supervision of a member of the department.

Number of Credits: 3 

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and department.

Semesters Offered: Varies

Topics: Varies

Independent Study Synopsis

• Course Code: 01:574:496
• Course Title: Independent Study in Korean
• Semester(s) Offered: Spring
• Credits: 3

01:574:496 Independent Study in Korean

Description: Independent reading under supervision of a member of the department.

Number of Credits: 3 

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and department.

Semesters Offered: Varies

Topics: Varies

Independent Study Synopsis